The EPA Refrigerant Recovery Rule
Under EPA Section 608, refrigerants (including older R-12 Freon and modern R-134a and R-410A) must be recovered by an EPA-certified technician before a refrigerator is scrapped. This applies to any unit larger than 5 pounds of refrigerant — which includes virtually all household refrigerators.
It is illegal for any company to crush, shred, or scrap a refrigerator without first recovering the refrigerant. Any junk removal company that hauls refrigerators should hold EPA 608 certification or contract with a certified recovery service.
Xcel Energy Appliance Recycling Program
Xcel Energy customers in Colorado can schedule a free appliance pickup through the Xcel Energy Appliance Recycling program. Xcel handles certified refrigerant recovery and pays customers a rebate ($35–$50 depending on the appliance) for older, working refrigerators.
Schedule at xcelenergy.com or call 1-877-460-3076. The program accepts refrigerators, freezers, window AC units, and dehumidifiers. Units must be in working condition.
Other Recycling Options
- ▸ENERGY STAR Retail Take-Back: When purchasing a new refrigerator, many retailers (Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's) offer haul-away of the old unit for free or a small fee.
- ▸Scrap metal yards: Will accept refrigerators after refrigerant has been professionally recovered — do not take a unit with refrigerant to a scrap yard without prior recovery.
- ▸Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Accepts working refrigerators that are less than 10 years old. Free pickup available in some areas.
What Troops Junk Removal Does
Every refrigerator we haul goes through certified refrigerant recovery before it's recycled for scrap metal. We hold the required EPA 608 certification and document recovery on every job.
We haul refrigerators from kitchens, garages, and storage units across the Front Range. Text us a photo and we'll give you a flat-rate quote within the hour.